11 December | Lectio Divina

A couple of times a week we will post an exercise known as Lectio Divina [go here to read more about this practice].

There are 4 basic steps:

  • READ
  • REFLECT
  • REQUEST
  • RESPOND

READ

Isaiah 40:1-11

A voice cries out:
“In the wilderness prepare the way of the LORD;
make straight in the desert a highway for our God.
Every valley shall be lifted up,
and every mountain and hill be made low;
the uneven ground shall become level,
and the rough places a plain.
Then the glory of the LORD shall be revealed,
and all flesh shall see it together,
for the mouth of the LORD has spoken.”

REFLECT

Reflect on the passage using these questions.
What emotions surface for you as you reflect on the passage?
Read through this list and identify the emotions that resonate with you. This list isn’t exhaustive, so other emotions might come to mind.

Peace     Fulfillment     Excitement     Joy     Anger     Frustration     Discouragement     Disappointment     Confusion     Shame     Fear     Helplessness     Acceptance     Safety     Trust     Curiosity     Gratitude     Delight     Sorrow     Remorse     Hope     Surprise     Uncertainty     Grounded     Worry     Happiness     Anticipation     Contentment

How does the word or phrase you identified connect to the things you do in this season?
In what ways does the word or phrase you identified connect with something you hope for in this season?
During Advent, we focus on the hope and peace that Jesus will come again to make all things new.
In what ways is the hope and peace we have in Jesus good news for you today?

REQUEST

Spend a few minutes in prayer.
Give thanks to God for the wisdom found in the Scriptures.
Request understanding and guidance from the Spirit. Then, ask God to fill you with hope and peace so that your hope in Jesus is evident to those with whom you work, go to school with, or interact with.

RESPOND

Respond to God by deciding on one specific attitude or action you’re going to adopt today, in your life, based on what you’ve discovered.

10 December 2023 | Advent | Michael Bells

Thank you for joining us on-line!
OCC is made up of people who are meeting in-person and who are meeting on-line.

Remember we are currently showing the video of the service on a week’s delay. The video goes live at 8:00am
So this video is from Sunday 3 December 2023 but is being shown on 10 December 2023, pastor Mike is speaking in both the on-line and the in-person service

  • This video is the end of our series in James
  • The in-person service and the next week on video is the beginning of our Advent series

God calls all of us into his presence:

He calls us to be together both with him and with one another;
He calls us to wait with and for him;
He calls us to serve & bless others – those who are part of God’s kingdom and those who have not yet responded to God’s grace.
As you prepare to watch our service video, we encourage you to take a few moments…

Get your coffee or tea. Settle in, be still…
Take some deep breaths… in and out… breathe.
Invite the Lord to make himself present with you as you watch – he is with us.

Slowing during Advent

Remember to be checking out News & Updates during Advent for images and posts on slowing down enough to be present.

 

6:30pm Youth

Visio Divina | HOPE

Week 1 of Advent | HOPE

“AWAKE MY SOUL” by Mike Moyers

LOOK

  • Look at the image below and let your eyes stay with the very first thing that you see. Keep your attention on that one part of the image that first catches your eye.
  • Try to keep your eyes from wandering to other parts of the picture. Breathe deeply and let yourself gaze at that part of the image for a minute or so.
  • Now, let your eyes gaze at the whole image. Take your time and look at every part of the photograph. See it all. Reflect on the image for a minute or so.

REFLECT

  • Reflect on the image for a minute or so. Notice what thoughts or feelings surfaced for you as you looked carefully at the artwork.
  • Where do you notice hope in this image?
  • How might what’s stirring in you relate to some other themes or ideas you’ve encountered in the Lectio Divina this week?
  • What do you think God might be inviting you to know, be, or do as we come to the end of this work week?

REQUEST

  • Ask God for wisdom and insight as you continue to reflect on the image.

RESPOND

  • Decide on one specific attitude or action you’re going to adopt today, in your work, in response to what you’ve experienced through this practice today.
  • It maybe helpful to write down that action step.